By Deven Malone
Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Student Government Association (SGA) networked with universities from around the world at a student leadership conference hosted by Texas A&M University-College Station.
Conference of Student Government Association (COSGA) is the largest student-run conference for student government representatives. This year’s COSGA theme was “Why Not You?” The organization helps student representatives confront obstacles that impede their goals by recognizing and fully embracing the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of their organization.
This university’s SGA focused on gaining knowledge and tips on how to bring A&M-San Antonio’s first class of freshman and sophomore students into student government.
“[SGA members] had a jam-packed agenda on how to be a leader, how to write bills, how to work with constitutions,and how to work with your faculty and staff,” said Jo Anna Franke, assistant vice-president for student engagement and success.
For some A&M-San Antonio SGA members, COSGA 2016 was their first conference experience.
“Attending conferences not only develops you as a leader, but you are able to communicate with other SGAs, share experiences and brainstorm ideas,” Allison Garcia, student body president said.
Garcia added that many student governments share the same problems. Going to conferences gives students a chance to share how they solve problems and conflicts on their campuses.
David Flores Jr., College of Arts and Science senator, said he attended seminars on how to bring school spirit onto campus and interacted with other senators.
“We got to network with universities from all over the U.S.,” Flores said. “We were learning and having fun. It was an all around great experience.”
SGA Senators and Elections
With new students coming soon, a larger number of representatives is needed to meet the growing population. SGA is searching for new senators.
Garcia said SGA is adding one senator seat per classification and three seats per college. The three seats per college are open for any classification to run for.
Senator seats are available for the College of Arts and Science, College of Education and Human Development.
“These [senators] are important positions on campus to really be the voice of the student body,” Garcia said. “You have the voice to be the bridge between student and administration.”
SGA acts as the voice of the student body. Their job is to bridge the gap between students and faculty by communicating their issues, concerns, and ideas through elected senators.
“If there is something a student wants for the classroom that could help every student, we [senators] bring it up in the meetings,” Flores said.
Senators seats are chosen by a student-run election.
Spring elections opened Monday, March 7 for President and Vice-President tickets.
Elections close March 25. There will be two weeks of campaigning before online voting starts April 11. Online voting will be April 11-14.
For more information log on to Jagsync and check out the Student Government Association page or email SGA@jaguar.tamu.edu.
